A METANET ARCHITECTURE FOR END-TO-END QUALITY OF SERVICE (QoS) OVER DISPARATE NETWORKS

In this work we investigate an architecture for resource provisioning and route selection over multiple disparate networks. We have developed a layered hierarchy of inter-networking and intra-networking levels of management called a MetaNet. Management at the inter-network level is conducted in a manner that models each network abstractly. At the intra-network level management accounts for the detailed implementation and organizational characteristics of each network. The paper explores how to employ these layers to cooperatively satisfy end-to-end requests for connectivity with an associated QoS. In addition, we explore negotiation between the interand intra-network levels of management and brokering of QoS by the internetwork level among the intra-network level managers.